Ben Ogden (Left) and Gus Schumacher celebrate their silver medals. Photo credit: Nat Herz, Alaska Public Media
Gus Schumacher, an Anchorage skier and grandson of the late Rollie Cooper and the late Nancy Cooper, won a silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy on February 19. He teamed up with his longtime friend, Vermont skier Ben Ogden in the men’s team sprint event. One reporter stated, “Anchorage cross-country skiing superstar Gus Schumacher was nearly perfect racing the anchor leg Wednesday in the team sprint event.” The duo secured only the second men’s cross-country skiing medal for the U.S. in 50 years, after Ogden’s silver medal in the individual sprint earlier in the Games.
Media reports may be found at the links shown below.
Anchorage’s Schumacher earns silver in cross-country team sprint – Alaska Public Media
Ben Ogden and Gus Schumacher’s Olympic silver medal was forged with friendship – NBC
‘These guys are for real’: Kikkan Randall on what Olympic silver means for Gus Schumacher and Alaska – KTVF in Alaska
Alaska in the medals, as Schumacher strikes silver at Italy Olympics – Alaska Public Media – includes an interview with Schumacher
